Mammals diurnal

Eastern Fox Squirrel

Sciurus niger

The Eastern Fox Squirrel is the charismatic heavyweight of the tree squirrel family. With its flame-colored tail and bold personality, it is a favorite for backyard observers and wildlife photographers alike.

69 Sightings

3 Habitats

Quick Identification

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Size

Total length: 45–70 cm (17.7–27.6 in); Weight: 500–1,000 g (1.1–2.2 lbs)

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Colors

Grizzled brownish-gray upper parts with a distinct orange-buff or cinnamon underside; tail is edged with reddish-orange hairs. Some populations exhibit all-black (melanistic) phases.

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Key Features

Largest species of tree squirrel in North America
Vibrant orange or cinnamon-colored belly and tail fringe
Squarish, broad face with rounded ears
Slower, more grounded movement than other squirrels

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 7-10 AM and 3-6 PM

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Season Year-round

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Diet A generalist feeder focusing on hickory nuts, acorns, walnuts, and beech nuts. They also supplement their diet with corn, berries, tree buds, fungi, and occasionally bird eggs or insects during the spring.

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Habitat Open woodlands with little undergrowth, forest edges, suburban parks, and residential backyards with mature nut-bearing trees.

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Behavior

Eastern Fox Squirrels are often described as the 'gentle giants' of the squirrel world. They move with a more relaxed, rolling gait compared to the high-strung, frantic movements of the Eastern Gray Squirrel. They are highly skilled 'scatter-hoarders,' spending much of their day burying individual nuts in the ground to recover later during the winter. This behavior makes them vital to the ecosystem as they often forget where their caches are, effectively planting the next generation of oak and hickory trees.

While they are agile climbers, Fox Squirrels are remarkably terrestrial and spend a significant portion of their waking hours foraging on the ground. In suburban environments, they are bold and adaptable, often becoming quite comfortable around humans. They are mostly solitary but will congregate peacefully near abundant food sources, though they aren't afraid to use their size to intimidate smaller squirrels at a bird feeder.

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Camera Tips

To capture the most engaging footage of an Eastern Fox Squirrel, you need to think about their ground-based habits. Unlike smaller squirrels that stick to the canopy, Fox Squirrels spend a lot of time on the 'forest floor' of your lawn. Mount your camera low—about 12 to 18 inches off the ground—on a tree trunk or a fence post. Aiming the camera at a slight downward angle toward a patch of open ground where they forage will give you great eye-level action shots that capture their facial expressions.

Baiting is an effective way to keep these squirrels in your camera’s field of view for longer periods. Place a few whole walnuts or a cob of dried corn on a flat stump or a dedicated platform. Because they are heavy-bodied, they easily trigger motion sensors, so you can set your PIR sensitivity to 'Medium' to avoid catching every swaying leaf while still ensuring the squirrel is recorded. Use a 'Hybrid' or 'Photo + Video' mode if your camera supports it; the photos capture the detail of their orange fur, while the video captures their charming 'tail-flicking' communication.

Pay attention to the 'Golden Hour' for lighting. Fox Squirrels are most active in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is low. This lighting makes their cinnamon-colored bellies and tails practically glow on camera. If you are tracking them in the winter, ensure your camera has fresh lithium batteries, as Fox Squirrels remain active in the snow, and you won't want to miss a shot of their thick, winter coats against a white background. Lastly, keep your lens clean! Since they are curious, they may occasionally come up and sniff the camera, leaving a smudge on the glass.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Eastern Fox Squirrel.

Eastern Gray Squirrel

Smaller with a white belly and a tail fringed with white-tipped hairs rather than orange.

American Red Squirrel

Much smaller (about half the size) with a white eye-ring and a more vocal, aggressive temperament.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eastern Fox Squirrels are strictly diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They typically have two peaks of activity: one in the early morning shortly after sunrise and another in the late afternoon before dusk. Unlike some other mammals, they rarely venture out after dark.

The best way to attract Eastern Fox Squirrels is to provide their favorite foods, such as whole walnuts, pecans, or sunflower seeds. They prefer eating on flat surfaces, so a platform feeder or a simple flat stump is more inviting to them than hanging tube feeders. Planting oak or hickory trees will also provide a long-term natural draw.

Their diet is primarily composed of tree nuts (masts) like acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts. However, they are opportunistic and will eat corn, fruit, berries, and even birdseed. In the spring, when nuts are scarce, they often eat tree buds and flowers.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas, provided there are enough mature trees to provide food and nesting sites (dreys). They actually thrive in suburban 'edges' where residential gardens meet small patches of woodland.

The easiest way to tell them apart is size and color. Fox Squirrels are significantly larger and usually have a bright orange or brownish-orange belly, whereas Gray Squirrels are smaller and have white or very light cream bellies. Fox Squirrels also tend to spend more time on the ground and move more slowly.

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